Citric Acid

Citric Acid provides a method for reducing the alkalinity (pH) of water-based drilling fluids, usually resulting from cement contamination while drilling out cement.

Application

Citric Acid is used for reducing pH and for precipitating out calcium when treating cement contaminated mud. Citric Acid can also be used for reducing the pH of fluids that have been over-treated with caustic soda or other alkaline products.

Technical & Engineering Information

Although drilling fluid pH will usually fall as drilling progresses, action should always be taken to restore pH to programmed levels when it is excessively high because it will affect polymer performance and encourage hydration, swelling and dispersion of clays and shales, resulting in a build-up of solids in the mud. Cement contamination will also increase calcium in the mud, which can affect mud properties as well as polymer performance.